Everybody, It's a Dance Party: RockBox Turns Two

Every third Friday of the month, Holocene turns into a hot, sweaty room full of jirating Portlanders. They call it RockBox, though its synonames include HotBox and SweatBox. Rightfully so.

Last Friday night, RockBox celebrated its second birthday at Holocene. Dedicated RockBox-ers trekked through the snow and ice to see DJ Kez (KBOO, THE FIX), Matt Nelkin (KPSU), and Dundiggy (THE FIX) spin on the main dance floor. I love Holocene, and have attended Atlas many times – but RockBox has never been on my calendar. I am not sure why, because the vibe hit me perfectly.

Doors open at 9pm, but because many people were halted due to snow, most of the music was sexy and slow for the first hour and a half until it started filling up with leggings, riding boots and hipster scarves. I fit right in. We were also joined by a large birthday party group – the boy (whose name I can not remember) was turning 26, I think. He asked twice to motorboat me. Good kid.

Last Friday was “the slowest we've had in a year in a half” according to Mr. Matt NelkinÃƒâ€š [who I stalked for an hour before I finally went to tell him that my friends Myra, Josie & I had decided he was our favorite that night], but there was no shortage of great music and table-top dancing. DJ Kez & Dundiggy were incredibly impressive – each of the three men with their unique sounds but the three of them flowing together smoothly — it was awesome to watch. Nelkin mixes a lot of 90s New Jack Swing & modern pop fused hip-hop while Dundiggy spins a lot of house music and DJ Kez has an affinity for old school hip-hop.

My girl Myra [an incredible DJ herself] and her lady Josie danced all night with me in the main room, while we watched strangers hook up and a few cougars on the prowl. Dundiggy, who creates the promo materials, likes to remind everyone what the party is all aboutÃƒâ€š – with the tagline “Everybody, it's a dance party” easily seen. As long as people can feel the music, and dance – they'll spin it.

Please expect me to be there next month, because this was, by far, the sexiest, sweatiest, best dance party I've ever been to. And remember that I spent four years a sorority girl. See you there January 16th, bitches!